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Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)

The Law Enforcement Torch Run raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is composed of a dedicated group of law enforcement officials who support Special Olympics. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics is our movements' largest grass-roots fundraising and public awareness vehicle in the world.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics globally. The LETR hold a number of year-round fundraising and awareness events in communities across Canada. The LETR are supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and have been an active partner of Special Olympics Canada for more than 35 years.

The Torch Run™ is the most well-known event that the LETR host. The Torch Run is an event in which officers run the Flame of Hope™ into an Opening Ceremony at local, regional and national competitions. Grown to include a wide range of regional and national events, the LETR have raised more than $ 3.8 million in Canada.

As retired Chief Richard LaMunyon once said, “What started in 1981…as a flicker of hope for Special Olympics has now become a roaring flame of stability for Special Olympics athletes worldwide.”

History of LETR in Canada

The LETR program first began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981. Toronto police officers Chief Jack Marks (Ret’d) and Lorne White (Ret’d) successfully organized the first Torch Run on Canadian soil in Toronto in June 1987. More than 1,100 LETR officers from 36 agencies took part in the event, covering more than 900 kilometers before arriving into Varsity Arena in Toronto to light the flame, signaling the opening of the International Special Olympics Floor Hockey Tournament.

Upcoming Events

Truck Convoy

Join us August, 26 for the World Largest Truck Convoy in support of Special Olympics PEI. All of the information, including Registration Forms and Pledge Forms (for Drivers and Athlete Co-Pilots) can be found in the Registration Package.